Introduced this past summer, the PEN E-PL3 and PEN E-PM1 are the latest micro-four-thirds cameras from Olympus. These 2 new models are intended to complete the PEN EP3 series and thus offer a whole range of compact cameras with interchangeable lenses. Each model offers a different set of controls with a different size, depending on whether you need more directly-accessible controls while shooting, or if you favor a pocketable camera. But as we'll see, given that they're based on the same sensor as the PEN EP3, these cameras perform equally well (or poorly) in term of image quality.

The E-PL3 is smaller and lighter than the EP3 (in fact, the L stands for “Light”)... and the E-PM1 (M for “Mini”) is much smaller and lighter—a true “pocket” model, depending on the lens attached. As one might anticipate, given their respective differences in size from the PEN EP3, the E-PL3 has more external controls, while the Mini relies more on menu controls for managing settings.

Equipped with the same sensor as the PEN EP3, reviewed on dxomark in July, it’s no surprise that the image quality is similar for both models, achieving the same very respectable scores for both dynamic range and color depth. This said, they also share the PEN EP3’s weaknesses:

Low-light ISO scores are substantially lower (538) compared to cameras with the latest APS-C sensors (such as the Sony NEX C3 at 1083, more than twice as good).

Dynamic range does not improve as much as expected at low ISO (+1 Ev compared with the next ISO step).

Olympus PEN vs Sony NEX

The low-light ISO weakness of the Olympus PEN is particularly noticeable when compared to a Sony camera from the NEX series. For example, if we compare the Sony NEX-C3 with the Olympus PEN E-PL3 and PEN E-PM1, the Olympus cameras are really behind with a score of 499 compared to the good 1083 score of the NEX-C3. This score makes the NEX-C3 a better camera for shooting in low-light conditions, but it is easily explained by the sensor size difference (micro-four-thirds for Olympus and APS-C for Sony). This size difference also makes the Sony NEX lenses much bigger and less easy to carry around.

Conclusion

Even if these 2 new models in the PEN series don't provide any improvement in image quality, they do offer new choices in terms of size and controls. Depending on the level of control you want, these 2 cameras could be very nice point-and-shoot cameras — portable, but with interchangeable lenses. So photographers interested in a portable second camera or beginners looking for a camera that can evolve with their level of expertise will want to take a closer look at these models.

Further readings for the Olympus PEN E-PM1 and PEN E-PL3: more pocket-sized additions to the Olympus PEN range

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

Announced in June 2011, the Panasonic Lumix DMC GF3 will be of interest to photographers who can afford an easy-to-use compact camera with interchangeable lenses and an image quality superior to that of other compact cameras (such as the Canon Powershot S100).

It’s rare in the world of photography for a manufacturer to come up with an entirely new product line from scratch, and it’s equally rare for a famous manufacturer such as Nikon (the world market leader) to offer a new lens mount (Nikon CX). This makes the launch of the Nikon 1 line (Nikon J1 and Nikon V1) a major event in photography this fall.